Lactic acid bacteria belong to the group of what? What is their use for the human body?

When it comes to bacteria, our imagination represents small disgusting creatures that move silently, multiply by leaps and bounds, attack, when this is least expected, but exist only in order to somehow influence our health and a life.

And yet the world of microorganisms is diversified, it is much more complicated than it seems. In addition to harmful bacteria that have a negative effect on human health, there are useful in our body that exist in order to prolong our life in every way. These bacteria are also found in lactic acid foods.

Lactic acid bacteria belong to a group of beneficial bacteria that have similar beneficial properties. They give lactic acid as the final product of fermentation. In nature, these bacteria are widespread. They live in the biological environment of the human (digestive tract).

Manufacture of lactic acid products

First of all, lactobacilli are known for being the main component of fermented dairy products, but they are also used in marinating vegetables, baking, drying fish and meat, making dried sausages. Lactic acid bacteria in products serve as real "warriors". They "struggle" for the preservation of their useful properties, freshness, taste qualities.

The leaven of lactic bacteria is a phenomenon that has been practiced for several millennia. It is interesting that people used them without understanding chemical formulas and understanding the theoretical and scientific foundations of this process. These components were used in the manufacture of food to give it a characteristic taste, texture, keep the freshness and taste for a long time.

Today, the consumer is available a variety of types of fermented milk products, which include beverages such as kefir, yogurts, bifidoks, hard cheese products, the production of which uses these microorganisms. In the manufacturing process, the properties of the microorganism are involved to interact with sugar and lactose in such a way that they become lactic acid.

As the amount of lactic acid increases, the amount of protein in milk is subject to change (shrinking). Changes can be made to the whole texture of the product. Other parameters, for example, such as temperature and composition of milk, are also responsible for the formation of characteristic features of the final product.

Organic Additives

Lactic acid bacteria belong to the group of saprophytes. They give the fermented milk an acidic taste. Additional characteristic flavors and flavors are often the effect of other organic products of lactic acid bacteria. For example, acetaldehyde - it is thanks to this organic compound that there is a characteristic smell of yogurt.

But diacetyl gives a taste of butter. Other microorganisms, such as yeast, can also be incorporated into bacterial cultures in order to find a unique taste.

For example, thanks to alcohol and carbon dioxide, made "by leaps and bounds", such drinks as kefir and koumiss acquire their unique smell and taste.

Technological features

Processes of production, such as reducing serum or adding flavor components, also contribute to the availability of a huge range and variety of lactic acid products. Very interesting in this regard is the technological process of making yogurt. During the production of this product, a symbiotic relationship occurs between two strains of bacteria Streptococcus Thermophilus and Lactobacillus Bulgaricus, when each of the microorganisms provokes the growth of another.

Thanks to this interaction, it is possible to substantially reduce the time required for fermentation. Also, this method allows to obtain unusual taste characteristics of the finished product, which would not have succeeded if only one kind of microorganism was used in fermentation.

In yoghurt and other fermented products, lactic acid bacteria are used as key ingredients, turning the product into a probiotic.

Probiotics

Probiotics are products that contain lactic acid bacteria. Reduced indicators such as fat content and calories. Probiotics supplement and help intestinal bacteria function better. The world market of these products is trying to meet the growing needs of consumers, who are increasingly worried about their health every year.

Lactic acid bacteria belong to a group of microorganisms that can have a positive effect on the body. They are not only of great importance for agriculture, but also play a key role in ensuring human health.

Lactobacillus and man

Lactic acid bacteria accompanied a person throughout his life. They are used in the production of certain products, have the ability to ferment lactose and sugar.

Nevertheless, much more valuable than their use in the food industry is their contribution to maintaining good health of our body. Lactic acid bacteria belong to the group of microaerophilic Gram-positive microorganisms provoking fermentation processes.

Some time ago, medicine and science were unable to appreciate the unique properties of this "mighty army." The main killers of beneficial bacteria that are in our body are antibiotics and malnutrition.

To date, microorganisms are coming out of the shadows, showing us a whole gamut of their undoubted advantages. Now the use of lactic acid bacteria is indispensable in many spheres of industry: not only food, but also pharmaceutical, agricultural, etc.

Bacteria of the genus Lactobacillus

Lactobacillus is one of the most common genera that belong to the group of lactobacilli. It turned out that representatives of strains of Lactobacillus can support human health. They are able not only to ensure good health, but also to resist severe infections and serious diseases.

Errors in eating habits that we allowed for many years, a sedentary lifestyle, constant stress and fuss have done immense harm to the state of our microflora, in which Lactobacillus bacteria form an essential part.

The place of their depleted population is readily occupied by harmful microorganisms that cause intestinal peristalsis, provoking diarrhea and colitis.

Available in a certain amount in products such as yogurt and kefir, or probiotics, lactic acid bacteria (photo Lactobacillus can be seen below) normalize the composition of the intestinal microflora.

They facilitate digestion, especially those foods that contain a large amount of carbohydrates. Also, Lactobacillus normalizes the intestinal peristalsis, which makes it possible to effectively treat any digestive system diseases, in particular dyspepsia, constipation and diarrhea.

Scientific and medical research of lactic acid bacteria

With each new scientific research, we more and more learn about the previously unknown properties of beneficial microorganisms. For example, a recent study showed that lactic acid bacteria can alleviate symptoms of lactose intolerance. Some of them, for example Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, participate in the production of the probiotic LAKCID®, which helps to prevent diarrhea, which can occur due to the use of insufficiently washed vegetables and fruits, unboiled water, and the lack of habit of washing hands before eating.

Clinical prospects for pharmaceutical products produced on the basis of lactobacilli are very wide. Deep studies of these specific microorganisms began to be carried out relatively recently. Many of the revealed properties have not yet received scientific exhaustive evidence. However, the results are very promising.

Benefits of lactobacilli - prevention of bloating and constipation

It must be said that the importance of lactic acid bacteria is difficult to overestimate. Thanks to many years of research and study of the properties of these microorganisms, it turned out that they can be used in a variety of areas.

For example, they are able to eliminate such problems with the stomach as swelling and constipation, which are caused by a violation of the intestinal microflora. Normalizing it, lactic acid fermentation bacteria improve intestinal motility. In addition, taking probiotics, a person cleanses his body by accelerating the process of digestion.

Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy

Helicobacter pylori is one of the main causes of the appearance of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer diseases of the stomach and duodenum, lymphoma and even stomach cancer. Patients who have this kind of bacteria in the body complain of bleeding and sudden weight loss, as a result of which the doctor orders them to undergo special therapy. Despite 20 years of detailed study of this bacterium, it has not been possible to develop an ideal therapy system for fighting Hp infection.

In general, the treatment is due to the influence of antibiotics, which are capable of destroying living microorganisms, which include a harmful bacterium. As you know, these drugs have a negative effect on the overall microflora of the body, resulting in a person may lose the ability to resist various diseases. It is here that useful lactobacilli, contained in probiotics, that can fill the missing elements of the body's microflora after the passage of eradication therapy come to the rescue .

Some studies show that lactobacilli are also able to suppress the process of reproduction of dangerous Helicobacter pylori. So the role of lactic acid bacteria in the process of getting rid of severe stomach diseases can be key.

Strengthening the immune system

Studies show that probiotics have a positive effect on strengthening the body's natural immunity (ability to withstand diseases). Their participation in activating macrophages, increasing levels of cytokines and immunoglobulins has received scientific justification. At the same time, probiotics do not cause side effects in the form of allergic reactions and inflammatory processes. They are also able to counteract the processes of oncological neoplasms.

Hope of the future medicine

Of course, today lactic acid bacteria can be considered a hope of modern medicine. Perhaps, thanks to these powerful microorganisms, in the near future we will be able to overcome serious diseases, which present a huge problem for all mankind today. It must be said that the results of scientific research in recent years indicate that this will be the case.